Good cop, Bat cop
A record-number of moviegoers have watched one of Joliet's finest helping Batman fight crime this week. Al Roechner plays a Gotham City police officer and detective in a couple of scenes in "The Dark Knight."
Five things to know
DuPage County Fair: Come to the Fairgrounds, off Manchester Road east of County Farm Road in Wheaton through July 27. Headliners include Little Big Town, Steven Curtis Chapman and Jars of Clay, Corbin Bleu of "High School Musical," a Pink Floyd laser light show and demolition derby. Visit www.dupagecountyfair.org.
How can casino column help a player out?
After 14 years of writing this column, I don't often get asked a question I've never been asked before. But I received one via e-mail in June, one that I've sometimes wondered why nobody has asked.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Visionary 'Knight' is dark and stormy
It has become standard operating procedure to envision superheroes as tortured figures yet no superhero movie has been as doom-laden as "The Dark Knight." Oppressive but never overwrought, it's a comic-book adaptation in which there will be blood. The film employs staggering cinematic artistry.
Waterway Daze provides affordable family fun
For boatloads of family fun, check out the 27th annual Waterway Daze July 18 & 19 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet. In addition to live entertainment, children's activities and plenty of affordable food, there will be boats to explore, boat rides, and a lighted boat parade.
I love the county fair
When you consider the kinds of festivals the Naperville area throws, the county fair seems like a throwback: 4-H livestock and home economics exhibits, carnival rides, country music and a demolition derby.
Don't be afraid to give the craps table a try or 2
Ron is a novice craps player, or he will be the first time he plays. "I've read your book, and one by Henry Tamburin and another by Frank Scoblete," he told me on the phone. "You all make it sound so easy, but every time I go to a table, I chicken out."
5 Things to Do
"High School Musical": Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre will perform the popular musical July 18 to 20 and July 23 to 27. Evening shows are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. There are 4 p.m. matinees on July 19 and 26. Philip Lynch Theatre is on the main campus of Lewis University on Route 53 in Romeoville. Call 815-836-5500 or visit www.lewisu.edu/ptl.
Feed your need... for speed
Oh what a night! If you're still recovering from Wednesday night's race fan rally, don't give up. The first-ever NASCAR races under the lights at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet kick off this weekend!
Five things to know
"Oklahoma!": Bolingbrook's Theatre on the Hill will perform the classic musical beginning July 11. The show continues on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for three weekends until July 27. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8:30 p.m.; Sunday shows are at 7 p.m. Bolingbrook Performing Arts Stage is at 375 W. Briarcliff, behind the Town Center Building. Call 630-759-2970 or visit tothbolingbrook.com.
A hit from The Baseball Project
Football fans take six months off and basketball fans ignore their sport until the playoffs. True baseball fans, however, suffer a year-round obsession. That's why The Baseball Project's "Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails" is like a drive to the gap with the bases loaded.
'High School Muscial' coming to Rialto
The Rialto Square Theatre and Emerald City Theatre present Disney's "High School Musical" onstage at the Rialto Square Theatre at 1 and 4 p.m. July 20.
Museums get smart about having fun
Summertime doesn't mean kids have to close the book on their education.
Nor do their parents have to travel great distances to show the family a good time.
There are any number of nearby activities that are as fun as they are informative just waiting to be discovered at the many museums in and around the area.
Five things to know
Ribfest: Naperville's event is held July 3 to 6 in Knoch Park, and features fireworks, food and live entertainment on two stages. Headliners include Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Foghat, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Trace Adkins. Visit www.ribfest.net.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Jo Dee Messina still running strong
Having been in the country music industry for more than a decade, Jo Dee Messina has seen a lot of changes, but she's still making music.
She'll bring her talent to Joliet Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. show Sunday, capping off the Taste of Joliet festival.
JJC's Spencer keeps choirs on the move
Although he works with students, Joliet Junior College professor of music Philip Spencer refuses to keep music in the classroom. During Memorial Day weekend, Spencer took 20 members from the school's two choirs to sing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
'WALL-E' proves to be real charmer for Pixar
How far has Pixar Animation Studios come in terms of humanizing technology? "WALL-E," Pixar's science-fiction romance, is more charming when the robots - not the humans - are on the screen.
Food, folks & fun
Ribfest is one huge, hot, finger-lickin' festival of food and entertainment. With 17 vendors of barbecued meat, tons of different foods, major musical acts and a crowd as big as 250,000, Where do you begin? First, grab your camp chairs and picnic blankets to stake your claim on the lawn. Trust us - we've been there.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Choice seating selected for new Rialto season
Sally Bagley walked through the promenade, an elegant hallway with a new carpet of black, gold and light burgundy. She crossed the threshold and entered a realm of lighted starscapes. Bagley, a Shorewood resident, was viewing the auditorium of the Rialto Square Theatre for the first time. "I think it is magnificent," she said.
She was participating in the theater's Select-A-Seat event.
Five things to do
Big Run Wolf Ranch: Family day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 will include food, drinks, clothing, jewelry, raffles, lectures, tours and music. Admission includes shuttle service from parking area. Located at 14857 Farrell Road, Lockport. Call 815-588-0044, visit www.bigrunwolfranch.org or e-mail bigrunwolf@aol.com.
Some good sources of gambling information
Just like any other topic under the sun nowadays, casino gambling is discussed endlessly on Internet message boards. Online, players gather to swap stories about wins, losses, restaurants, rooms and comps, report on their latest trips and trade strategy tips.
SearchChicago - Autos Search for cars, watch/read reviews, calculate car payments and more.
SearchChicago - Homes Search for a home, read real estate news, calculate your mortgage and more.
SearchChicago - Jobs Search for a new job, read employer profiles, watch video job clips and more.
Spring salads As the weather warms up our thoughts turn to outdoor entertaining and fresh foods and salads. Need to update your recipe files? Help is just a click away. Tons of quick videos demonstrating cooking techniques and an extensive archive of recipes and other exclusively culinary content.
The Fixer Getting the runaround over a consumer problem? Tell it to The Fixer.
Naperville Sun Club You can use your Sun Club card to receive the exclusive promotions.
Real estate transfers Compare the closing prices for recent home purchases in the Chicago area.
Your TV listings There's a whole new way to track your favorite TV shows, movies and sporting events.
School report cards School report cards and demographic information for each public school in Illinois.
Track your portfolio Manage your stocks with e-mail updates or stock alerts sent to your e-mail.
